OUR VIEW

‘Occupy’ protest should pack it in

POSTED: 01:30 a.m. HST, Jun 30, 2012

~~<p>Naming a movement after its primary mode of protest &mdash; occupy &mdash; seemed clever at the time it originated in September 2011, starting with the Occupy Wall Street encampment in Zuccotti Park and then spreading nationwide. But over time the tactic began to wear thin, so much so that the interest it sparked &mdash; a discussion about economic disparity &mdash; gave way to another reaction.</p><p>It's become annoying, even to many who otherwise might be receptive to the message, or at least to the principle of free speech. The general sense is that while the more rightist tea party movement mobilized in the lawmaking arena, the left-leaning Occupy chapters in New York, Oakland and many other cities lacked clear goals.</p>~~

Naming a movement after its primary mode of protest — occupy — seemed clever at the time it originated in September 2011, starting with the Occupy Wall Street encampment in Zuccotti Park and then spreading nationwide. But over time the tactic began to wear thin, so much so that the interest it sparked — a discussion about economic disparity — gave way to another reaction.

It's become annoying, even to many who otherwise might be receptive to the message, or at least to the principle of free speech. The general sense is that while the more rightist tea party movement mobilized in the lawmaking arena, the left-leaning Occupy chapters in New York, Oakland and many other cities lacked clear goals. Login for more...